Dwarfcichlid.com
Practical Information About Keeping, Breeding and Buying Dwarf Cichlids
Dwarf Cichlid Book Reviews
Although
it is
possible to find a
lot of information about dwarf cichlids on the Internet, anyone that is
seriously interested in dwarf cichlids should own one or more of the
excellent books that are available. These books contain a wealth of
information that is easily accessible and very comprehensive.
With new species being regularly discovered, every dwarf cichlid book that is published needs updating before it is even printed. However, information on existing species, care and feeding, aquarium management and breeding is timeless and this type of information will not go out of date.
It can be difficult to find many dwarf cichlid books. Many of the best books are published in languages other than English and few are distributed in America. A couple of these are available and I provide information on how to locate them on their individual review pages. Few pet stores will stock the English language dwarf cichlid books so I generally recommend Amazon as the best source to find them.
Aqualog
Southamerican
Cichlids II
Author: Ulrich Glasser & Wolfgang Glasser
Copyright 1996
110 pages 465 photos
This is the second of the Aqualog series of books and features only dwarf species. It is primarily a photo book of species and contains little text or information on care and breeding. For each species a number of photos are provided with a series of symbols that provide very elementary additional info. The photos are top notch and many different species and forms are represented. Unfortunately, the lack of text makes this basically only an identification book and since it has been some time since it was published a number of the species that were new at the time are mis identified. Still it is a book full of wonderful photos of many different species and belongs on the shelf of every serious dwarf cichlid fan.
Aqualog
Extra the
latest
Apistogramma
Author: Dieter Bork
Copyright 2005
48 pages 223 photos
This book only covers the species and forms of Apistogrammas that were discovered after the publication of the Aqualog II book described above. It follows the same basic format - mostly a book of photos of fishes with virtually no text. Many beautiful photos of unusual dwarf cichlids however, this is not the best book for beginning dwarf cichlid keepers. It is a great book if you want to look at beautiful fish and wish they were swimming in your tanks!
Mergus
Cichlid
Atlas Volume 2
Author: Dr. Uwe Romer
Copyright 2006
1,319 pages
This book is a follow up to the excellent Volume 1 which was published in English in 2002. The first volume covered every species known to date and the second discusses every species discovered since the German edition of Vol. 1 was published in 2000. I wish I could report that this book is as good as the first but it is not nearly as important of a book for most hobbyists. Since this is intended to report on the newest fishes most of the species that hobbyists are likely to find are not in the book since they were covered in Vol. 1. However, for the specialist, this is another excellent volume that significantly advances our knowledge of Apistogrammas. If you are serious you will want to own this book.
South
American
Dwarf Cichlids
Publisher: Tetra, Melle, Germany
Copyright 1984
English Edition 1994
232 pages 152 photos
It has been more than 20 years since the first edition of this excellent book was published. The English version is more recent but there have been many discoveries that are not discussed. However, this remains a good reference and can be purchased used at very reasonable prices. Complete Review
Copyright 2005
129 pages 558 photos
This is the newest book available. It attempts to provide photos of every known form of Apistogramma. Published in Germany, the text of this book is in both German and English. It is the best reference for species identification but is currently difficult to find in the US. It is widely available in Europe. Complete Review
Mergus
Cichlid
Atlas Volume 1
Author: Dr. Uwe Romer
Copyright 2000
English Edition 2002
1,311 pages 1,448 photos
This massive book has the most complete information about South American dwarfs. It has been over a decade since it was first published so there are some problems with names. However, this is a must have book. In 2006 a warehouse fire destroyed the existing stock of the English language edition of this book. It has become very scarce and used copies are rarely offered.A second printing is planned for 2008. Complete Review
With new species being regularly discovered, every dwarf cichlid book that is published needs updating before it is even printed. However, information on existing species, care and feeding, aquarium management and breeding is timeless and this type of information will not go out of date.
It can be difficult to find many dwarf cichlid books. Many of the best books are published in languages other than English and few are distributed in America. A couple of these are available and I provide information on how to locate them on their individual review pages. Few pet stores will stock the English language dwarf cichlid books so I generally recommend Amazon as the best source to find them.
South American Dwarf Cichlid Books
Books that should be commonly availableAuthor: Ulrich Glasser & Wolfgang Glasser
Copyright 1996
110 pages 465 photos
This is the second of the Aqualog series of books and features only dwarf species. It is primarily a photo book of species and contains little text or information on care and breeding. For each species a number of photos are provided with a series of symbols that provide very elementary additional info. The photos are top notch and many different species and forms are represented. Unfortunately, the lack of text makes this basically only an identification book and since it has been some time since it was published a number of the species that were new at the time are mis identified. Still it is a book full of wonderful photos of many different species and belongs on the shelf of every serious dwarf cichlid fan.
Author: Dieter Bork
Copyright 2005
48 pages 223 photos
This book only covers the species and forms of Apistogrammas that were discovered after the publication of the Aqualog II book described above. It follows the same basic format - mostly a book of photos of fishes with virtually no text. Many beautiful photos of unusual dwarf cichlids however, this is not the best book for beginning dwarf cichlid keepers. It is a great book if you want to look at beautiful fish and wish they were swimming in your tanks!
Author: Dr. Uwe Romer
Copyright 2006
1,319 pages
This book is a follow up to the excellent Volume 1 which was published in English in 2002. The first volume covered every species known to date and the second discusses every species discovered since the German edition of Vol. 1 was published in 2000. I wish I could report that this book is as good as the first but it is not nearly as important of a book for most hobbyists. Since this is intended to report on the newest fishes most of the species that hobbyists are likely to find are not in the book since they were covered in Vol. 1. However, for the specialist, this is another excellent volume that significantly advances our knowledge of Apistogrammas. If you are serious you will want to own this book.
Author:
Hans J. Mayland & Dieter
Bork
This is currently the best general
Copyright 1996 Apistogramma reference available
English Edition 1997
187 pages 137 photos
Although
more than 10 years old, this remains an excellent text on South
American dwarf cichlids. It gives good information about keeping and
breeding many different species. It has top quality information about housing, breeding and all aspects of aquarium care. Complete
Review Copyright 1996 Apistogramma reference available
English Edition 1997
187 pages 137 photos
American
Cichlids I
- Dwarf Cichlids
Author: Horst Linke
& Dr.
Wolfgang StaeckPublisher: Tetra, Melle, Germany
Copyright 1984
English Edition 1994
232 pages 152 photos
It has been more than 20 years since the first edition of this excellent book was published. The English version is more recent but there have been many discoveries that are not discussed. However, this remains a good reference and can be purchased used at very reasonable prices. Complete Review
Books that are in
print but hard to find - see the individual review for info.
South American
Dwarf Cichlids
Author: Rainer
Stawikowski, Ingo
Koslowski and Volker BohnetCopyright 2005
129 pages 558 photos
This is the newest book available. It attempts to provide photos of every known form of Apistogramma. Published in Germany, the text of this book is in both German and English. It is the best reference for species identification but is currently difficult to find in the US. It is widely available in Europe. Complete Review
Books that are out
of print and very hard to find
Author: Dr. Uwe Romer
Copyright 2000
English Edition 2002
1,311 pages 1,448 photos
This massive book has the most complete information about South American dwarfs. It has been over a decade since it was first published so there are some problems with names. However, this is a must have book. In 2006 a warehouse fire destroyed the existing stock of the English language edition of this book. It has become very scarce and used copies are rarely offered.A second printing is planned for 2008. Complete Review
West African Cichlid Books
Books that should be commonly available
The
Cichlid Fishes of Western
Africa
Publisher: Birgit, Schmettkamp Verlag, Bornheim, Germany
Copyright 2004
Binding: Hard Cover 2
55 pages 521 photos
This comprehensive book is the best available on the fascinating and beautiful cichlids from West Africa. It covers all species and not just dwarfs and is the best reference yet published. Complete Review
Author: Horst Linke & Dr. Wolfgang Staeck
Publisher: Tetra, Melle, Germany
Copyright 1984
English Edition 1994
200 pages
As with its South American counterpoint this book has become rather dated with many newer discoveries not being discussed. However, it remains an excellent primer on the care and breeding of the West African Dwarf Cichlids. The book has been out of print for a number of years but is widely available used at very reasonable prices. this is a good book to have.
Aquarium Magazine Reviews
The three major American aquarium hobby magazines all have occasional stories about dwarf cichlids and are generally a great resource for all fish keepers. I look forward to every issue I receive in the mail from my subscriptions. For complete information visitCopyright
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